Rob Manker

Fireworks explode over the crowd at Ribfest in Naperville.

Manker: Naperville’s ever-changing tree line poses fireworks viewing challenge

May 16, 2019 at 11:09 a.m.

With the July 4 holiday nearly upon us, it's time for those annual rites of midsummer – fireworks, Ribfest and Ribfest fireworks. Most importantly, that means it's also time to...

Taking the family to Starved Rock State Park in Utica to hike or camp is one way to get the kids off their devices and into nature.

Manker: Summer’s too precious not to spend it outside with the kids

May 16, 2019 at 11:09 a.m.

What a strange fluke of timing that the kids have already been out of school for almost a month before the first day of summer even arrived. That means summer...

Manker: Father-son ‘Godfather’ viewing a birthday bonding experience

June 4, 2018 at 2:19 p.m.

Sometimes an "offer you can't refuse" comes in many different forms. Any self-respecting "Godfather" fan knows the central role those words play in the fictional Corleone family story. I enjoyed...

Manker: Wait to meet ‘Grandpa’ well worth a day in the sun

June 4, 2018 at 8:02 p.m.

With all due respect to grandpas everywhere, not many could command up to a 31/2-hour wait in line by thousands of adoring fans to get an autograph and a picture...

Manker: Hundreds of miles in the car, and he wouldn’t trade it for anything

June 4, 2018 at 9:54 p.m.

Memorial Day weekend is known for that big 500-mile driving event held in the Midwest every year. The one where cars keep going and going and going in circles, seemingly...

Manker: Give him an eagle mascot costume, watch him soar

May 16, 2019 at 11:08 a.m.

When you volunteer to help with Field Day at your children's school, you go in knowing you could be assigned just about any task: shepherding kids from station to station,...

Manker: Time’s fleeting, so linger in those moments you’ll never have again

June 5, 2018 at 1:22 a.m.

"All the precious time Ohhh like the wind, when the years go by Precious butterfly Spread your wings and fly" —From "Butterfly Kisses," by Bob Carlisle No parent needs to...

A Fidget Spinner can be set in motion by holding it between the thumb and forefinger and flicking one of the blades with the other hand.

Manker: Fidget craze not limited to kids, but real question – how long will it last?

May 16, 2019 at 11:07 a.m.

What will they think of next? That was my first thought when I saw the latest craze taking elementary schools by storm. By now you've likely observed or read about...

Manker: Memories a good trade for Take Your Child to Work Day challenges

May 16, 2019 at 11:06 a.m.

When I first learned my employer would be participating in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, the only thing that seemed more problematic than taking just one or...

Manker: Safety nets nice to have just in case they’re needed

June 5, 2018 at 7:38 a.m.

Sometimes parenting means being there just in case help is required. If all goes well, there will be fewer instances of this as your children age, but that doesn't mean...

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